The threat of 20 inches of snow did not keep North Haven residents from coming out to the annual town meeting on Saturday, March 12. Over 60 people attended the meeting, which was held at the town’s Community Building. The town meeting was a true community affair with North Haven Community School juniors selling donuts and coffee and the French Club offering homemade soups and breads at lunchtime.
Voters approved a $1,085,515 budget, an increase of 9.2 percent from 2004. All 82 articles in the Town Warrant passed with little discussion and some were given modest increases. The Fire Department was allocated an additional $6,580 to bring old gear into compliance with OSHA and for other equipment upgrades. Voters also approved placing $10,000 in a fire truck reserve fund and allocated $25,000 towards the building of a six-bay fire station.
Voters also approved increases in the town’s floats and docks budget, which received an additional $500 for a total of $12,650 for upgrades and maintenance; Mullen’s Head Park, an additional $2,000 for a total of $4,750; and the Historical Society, an additional $1,000 for a total of $4,000.
Members of the town staff were elated by voters’ willingness to go above and beyond the proposed budgets. “These increases reflect the willingness of the community to provide additional support for important community programs,” stated Alton “Bump” Hadley, Town Administrator.
Residents showed their support for town emergency and infrastructure expenses by approving the recommended budgets. Overall, $40,197 was appropriated for police protection; $24,825 for emergency medical services; and $45,000 for snow removal.
The formation of a Shellfish Conservation Committee was approved, and several residents agreed to serve on it. This Committee will reinstate the shellfish ordinance, which protects local shellfish resources and promotes new seeding methods to encourage shellfish growth and conservation.
Stacy Gambrel is an Island Institute Fellow on North Haven.